Updated 30 July 2022
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
One inspector and an Expert by Experience carried out this inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Willowgarth is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. At the time of our inspection there were two registered managers in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 4 July 2022 and ended on 8 July 2022. We visited the service on 4 July 2022.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
We spoke with both registered managers, one of which is the nominated individual, the deputy manager and a medicines coordinator. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with four staff via telephone and we received feedback via email from 14 staff. We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and six relatives via telephone. We received feedback from four visiting professionals. We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.